University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Cal Poly

Should I go to University of Alabama at Birmingham or California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Alabama at Birmingham or Cal Poly is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo comparison
University of Alabama at Birmingham California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo College 3 College 4
University of Alabama at Birmingham California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
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Overview

University of Alabama at Birmingham Cal Poly
Location Birmingham, AL San Luis Obispo, CA
Setting Midsize City Small Suburban
Enrollment 21,639 22,000
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #427 #155
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uab.edu calpoly.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Alabama at Birmingham Cal Poly
Tuition (In State) $8,832 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $21,216 $17,622
Room & Board $13,120 $16,449
Avg Net Price $16,834 $19,184
Avg Grant Aid $11,142 $10,065
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 42%

Admission

University of Alabama at Birmingham Cal Poly
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,947 58,774
Admitted 8,622 17,885
Acceptance Rate 86.7% 30.4%
Enrolled % 25.7% 28.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.82 4.0
Typical High School Grades A- A/A+
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 23/30 26/32
SAT Range 1200/1410 1220/1410
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2024 Nov 30, 2023

Academics

University of Alabama at Birmingham Cal Poly
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Engineering (24%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Agriculture (15%)
  • Architecture (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

University of Alabama at Birmingham Cal Poly
Graduation Rate 45% 75%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,400 $69,400
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 85%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $18,666
Median Loan Payment $222 $193

Diversity

University of Alabama at Birmingham Cal Poly
% Men 37% 51%
% Women 63% 49%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 59% 57%
% Black 25% 1%
% Hispanic 3% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 7%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 5%

Students

University of Alabama at Birmingham Cal Poly
% In-State 82% 83%
% Out-of-State 16% 16%

Campus

University of Alabama at Birmingham Cal Poly
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than than University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (22,000 students vs. 21,639 students)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Cal Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Cal Poly?

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham is 53.8% more expensive to attend than Cal Poly for in-state tuition ($8,832.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.4% higher at University of Alabama at Birmingham than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($21,216.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Alabama at Birmingham than Cal Poly ($16,834 vs. $19,184)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 25.4% lower than costs at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($13,120 vs. $16,449)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (93% vs. 42%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students is 10.7% larger than aid received California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($11,142 vs. $10,065)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Cal Poly Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Cal Poly? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Cal Poly or University of Alabama at Birmingham .

  • The average SAT score at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1259) is 112 points higher than at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1147)
  • Incoming Cal Poly students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at University of Alabama at Birmingham (25)
  • Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at University of Alabama at Birmingham (3.82)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Cal Poly (30.4%)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Cal Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Cal Poly? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Cal Poly and University of Alabama at Birmingham.

  • The graduation rate at Cal Poly is higher than University of Alabama at Birmingham (75% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn on average $23,000 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates after ten years. ($69,400 vs. $46,400)
  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students graduate with a $2,834 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates. ($18,666 vs. $21,500)
  • Cal Poly graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates. ($193 vs. $222)
  • More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 52%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/